Spark-amplifying device



Sept. 16 1924.

R. J. SMITH SPARK AMPLIFYING DEVICE Filed Anril 21 1921 Ma \C gvwmatoz I 35 A; MOW

p. flwz/ Patented Sept. 16, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RENSSELAER J. SMITH, OF SOUTH BETHLEHEM, NEW YORK.

SPARK-AMPLIFYING DEVICE.

Application filed April 21, 1921. Serial No. 463,197.

and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Spark-Amplifying Device, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has for an object to provide an ignition system, in the operation of which the spark obtained at the spark plug will be intensified or amplified by producing in the secondary circuit, preferably in successive impulses or surges, an increased vgltage upon the electrodes of the spark Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and compact form of holder containing the necessary elements for bringing about the results above mentioned, and which may readily be inserted in such a secondary circuit to modify the latter to operate in accordance with the invention.

Further objects and advantages of the. invention will be in part obvious and in part specifically pointed out in the description hereinafter contained which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention; such embodiment, however, is to be considered merely as illustrative of its principle. 'In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a portion of an ignition system adapted to operate according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of a holder containing certain elements which are included in the circuit shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end View of the holder shown in Fig. 2.

Referring particularly to Fig.v 1, I have illustrated a simple form of ignition circuit, including a transformer or induction coil 1, having a secondary winding 2, in circuit with which a spark plug 3 of conventional form is included by means of conductors 4 and 5.

In order to amplify the electrical impulses transmitted to the spark gap throu h the transformer of secondary 2, I emp oy in connection with the secondary circuit an auxiliary spark gap 6 in combination with inductance, in such manner that when the voltage of the secondary is impressed upon the electrodes of the spark plug 3 and auxiliary spark gap 6, the inductance serves to produce surges or electrical impulses at a higher voltage than would be obtained from the secondary winding, 2 alone. With the inductance 7 interposed between one electrode of the auxiliary spark gap 6 and one side of the transformer, for example, the potential of coil 2 builds up on the electrodes of spark gaps 3 and 6 until the gaps break down, at which time the surge, due to the change in the field of inductance 7 produces a discharge across the auxiliary gap .6 and the spark plug 3 which is much intensified, due to the increased voltage brought about by the surge in coil 7 Preferably the circuit is arranged in such manner that successive. impulses will be impressed upon the spark plug 3, further amplifying the spark produced therein. As shown, a second inductance 8 is interposed between thespark plug 3 and the auxiliary spark gap 6 in such manner that, after the gaps 3 and 6 have been bridged in the manner above described, the energization of inductance 8 by the resulting current,

through self-inductive eifect, produces an additional surge from this coil, which is also impressed upon the electrodes of spark plug 3 to heighten the intensity of the sparkl The invention may be readily adapted to known ignition systems by means of a structure such as is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 wherein the auxiliary spark gap 6 and the inductances 7 and 8 are combined in a compact holder in such manner that when interposed in the secondary circuit it makes the proper connections to the inductances and auxiliary spark gap. trated, the holder 9 is made of insulating material in th shape of a hollow cylinder having at its end metallic caps 10 and 11 to which the circuit connections may be made. As shown, a metallic clip 12 is mounted upon cap 10, the clip bein shaped to fit over the binding post of the spark plug or other stationary conducting part of the ignition apparatus, and cap 11 is provided with a binding post 13, to which the conductor of Fig. 1 may be connected.

The inductance coils 7 and 8 I prefer to arrange substantially coaxially in the opposite ends of the container 9, the inner ends of the coils being spaced apart, whereby the auxiliary spark gap 6 may be received between them. In the form shown, the coils 7 and 8 are mounted upon an insulating tube let of fibre or the like which extends the full In the form illuslength of thecontainer 9, and which receives the soft iron cores 15 and 16 respectively, co-operating with coils 7 and 8. The auxiliary spark gap 6 is made up of the electrodes 17 and 18 in the form of zinc plates or the like slipped over the insulating tube 1 1, and spaced apart by an insulating bushing 19, which latter, in combination with the insulating end pieces 20 and the insulating discs 21 between the electrodes and the inductance coils, serves to hold the coils and electrodes in proper position.

In the embodiment illustrated, circuit is made from the terminal clip 12 to the inner portion of inductance coil 8 through a conductor 22, and from the outer portion of the coil 8 to electrode 18 by conductor 23;

.in a similar manner the binding post 13 is connected to the inner portion of coil 7 by conductor 24, while electrode 17 is in circuit with the outer portion of coil 7 through a conductor 25. Thus the spark amplifying device as a unitma'y'be' inserted in series circuit between the spark plug and the secondary winding of an ignition circuit, by making the proper connections over terminal clip 12 and binding post 13.

' While a certain embodiment of the invention has been described, it is obvious that many changes may be made therein without' departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims:

I claim: 1. An ignition'system comprising a secondary circuit having a secondarycoil and spark gap, and a spark amplifying device in said secondary circuit comprising an inductance and an auxiliary spark gap inseries with each other and also with said first-mentioned spark gap.

2. An ignition system comprising a secondary circuit havlng a secondary coil and spark gap, and a spark amplifying device in series between said coil and spark gap,

said device comprising inductances having a spark gap interposed therebetween. 3. An ignition system comprising a secondary circuit, having a secondar coil and spark gap, and a spark amplifying device in series between said spark gap and said coil, said device compnsing an auxiliary spark gap, and an inductance interposed between. said auxiliary gap and said firstmentioned gap.

4. An ignition system comprising a sec-,

auxiliary spark gap and said secondary coil.

5. A spark amplifying device comprising an insulating container, substantially coaxial inductance coils contained therewithin, a spark gap disposed between said inductance coils, and connections for placing said gap in series with said coils.

6. A spark amplifying device comprising an insulating container, substantially coaxial inductance coils contained therewithin, a spark gap interposed between said inductance coils and connections for placing said gap in series with said coils, and terminals forsaid device mounted upon said container and connected respectively to the outer ends of said inductance coils.

7. A spark amplifying device comprising a holder, a pair of inductance coils mounted therewithin, a spacing member interposed between said inductance coils and electrodes held between said spacing member and the respective coils, said electrodes', constituting a spark gap in circuit with said coils.

8. A spark amplifying device comprising a substantially cylindrical holder, inductance coils arranged substantially coaxial therewithin, a spacing member interposed between said coils having the electrodes of a spark gap associated therewith, and a tube extending through said inductance coils and of April, 1921.

RENSSELAER J. SMITH.

claim the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day 

